Q: My off-plan property in Malaga is due to be completed in the next few months, and I will be inspecting the property soon. What should I look out for, and what are my rights if I find any defects?J Harrison, by email

A: Before making the final payment to a developer or builder — usually the remaining 70% at this stage — you need to ensure your home is finished to the required specification. When the builder contacts you to arrange an inspection, commission a chartered surveyor’s report to UK standards, which starts at about €400 (£350).

Real Estate in the United Kingdom industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary information including: market size (value and volume 2012-16, and forecast to 2021). The profile also contains descriptions of the leading players including key financial metrics and analysis of competitive pressures within the market.

When choosing a place to buy abroad it’s not just about how cheap the property is. Of course, this is a pretty big driver for most buyers, but along with accessibility, lifestyle factors also come into play. So how do you choose between your favourite countries? Here we look at five of the key considerations for buyers…

1) Climate and seasonality

There are many people who would stay in the UK if it offered more sunshine! Just waking up each morning knowing there is going to be sun is one of the most highly prized factors frequently flagged by buyers abroad because it allows an outdoor lifestyle and also has tangible health benefits. But think about local conditions carefully – will it be too hot in the summer holidays when you need to go there – or play golf? Bear in mind that in many southern European countries it can reach 40 degrees in peak summer. Likewise, what are the winters like? Are they mild or surprisingly bitter? Even on an island, conditions vary from one side to the other.

For clients looking to sell down their property portfolio in the wake of changes to the buy-to-let taxation regime, the ability to defer any CGT due makes investing in an EIS a useful tax-planning option, explains Jack Rose

The phenomenon of buy-to-let (BTL), which exploded in the 1990s, looks like it may well be coming to an end. So what is the impact of the changes to legislation on advisers and their clients – and could…

In the academic year 2015/2016, there were approximately 2.3 million students studying in UK higher education institutions. Many students find when they enter university that affordable purpose-built student accommodation is a rarity. According to Savills, 74,500 new beds were provided by the private sector at the start of the academic year in 2015; however, a persistent shortage of demand still remains. This shortage in the market has resulted in investment offerings of ‘student-only’ accommodation in the Real Estate sector with specialised funds like the Victus European Student Accommodation Fund and the Unite UK Student Accommodation Fund. These funds specifically target the development of purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) – leading to a whole new asset class for investors.

Welcome to the latest instalment of our 13-part series, Tips From Our Overseas Property Buyers, where we catch up with homeowners from all over the world who share their experiences exclusively with A Place in the Sun. Next up we have Nancy and Russel Davidson from Edinburgh, who decided to purchase a villa in Vilamoura, Portugal.

Algarve veterans Nancy and Russell Davidson, from Edinburgh, were deterred from buying the first apartment they wanted because the vendor didn’t want a lawyer involved. So, they moved on and bought somewhere equally nice, with legal representation. Nancy [above] tells us why.

“We got the keys to our one-bedroom apartment in Vilamoura in February this year, although it isn’t the place we’d set out to buy. We’ve been coming to the Algarve for family holidays for 20-odd years, usually renting the same apartment owned by a local Portuguese man. When we decided to buy our own place at the start of 2016, we made an offer for that apartment, which was accepted.

Q We’ve decided to put our Portuguese home on the market and are considering listing it online, bypassing agents and their fees. Any words of advice? M Formby, by email

A Although there are costs for using a “for sale by owner” property forum — such as magnoliaproperty.co.uk (from £15 a month), rightmove.co.uk (£29-£99 a month) and the-viewing.com (from £588 flat fee) — there is no commission to pay.

However you decide to market your home, though, you still need to decide on the asking price, and make sure you have all the documentation required in Portugal in order, including relevant deeds, registration and tax certificates. Resolve any legal issues with the property, such as illegal extensions or inheritances that have not been finalised.

LONDON — The weak pound caused by the Brexit vote has caused Britons to slash the amount they spend on European property by more than half, according to research from payment card firm Fexco.

The data indicates that Britons spent 52% less in sterling terms on Eurozone property in the first three months of 2017 compared with the same period last year.

The analysis, of more than 500 Eurozone transactions made by UK customers through Fexco’s payment platforms, shows that new property purchases have shrunk, with the majority of funds still being sent to the Eurozone destined for ongoing commitments such as mortgage payments, maintenance or management fees.

The lowest point was in January 2017, when transaction values slipped to 78% their January 2016 level. February transaction levels were 42% lower than those made in February 2016, while March saw some recovery, with transaction values jumping by a quarter on February’s figure.

http://enterpriseuk.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/master_image_narrow_property_oversea.jpg5001000Cagatay Kiricihttp://enterpriseuk.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/EmtUK_FinancialEcosystem-300x98.pngCagatay Kirici2017-05-15 17:10:392017-05-17 17:18:34Britons are spending 50% less on European property since the Brexit vote